"A plague o' both your houses" – Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet)

Chapter Twenty-Six: Sweet Sacrifice

Guinevere had lost track of time, she didn’t know how long she sat at the park. She didn’t want to go home, she couldn’t face her responsibilities thinking she had messed up, royally. The sun had went down, just as she started to sizzle. Maybe it would’ve been a good thing if I went up in smoke. Something stirred in her, a memory of her uncle just shortly after her life had changed forever: “Once you find your mate, you’ll understand.” Guinevere wanted to sob, but it was the only thing that could explain her ever increasing depression. I’m sorry I doubted you uncle. I just want this to stop, I don’t want to love him anymore.
She heard the click of footsteps coming toward her, a long stride she would recognize anywhere.
“How did you find me?” She didn’t bother looking up at him.
“Caleb said you never arrived home, told me where he left you…it didn’t take much to piece it together. Everyone is worried Gwen, what happened?” He approached her and knelt in front of her.
“Caleb’s in love with someone, so I broke it off.” Was all she said. Gunther reached up and gently grabbed her chin. He tilted her head up to look at him. His molten eyes stared into hers and she felt exposed, like he was peering right into her soul.
“You’re not upset that he’s in love, there’s something else.” She pulled her head away from him and evaporated into mist to get away from him. I can’t tell him. I can’t. He can’t know. “Gwen, please talk to me.” His pleas echoed in her consciousness. “Don’t leave.” She stopped and turned back into herself.
“I don’t know where to go from here…I feel alone, though I know I’m not.” She started, making an internal promise to not cry.

“Just when I think I can be happy, something happens and it all falls apart. I honestly could’ve been happy with Caleb in the end, I know I could’ve been. He offered to still marry me, but I couldn’t stand in the way of love…I know what it’s like to be in love and not be able to do anything about it.” She stood, looking to the ground. She saw his shadow and felt his presence in front of her. She nearly melted into his touch when he rubbed her arms in a comforting gesture.
“You’re too good, and such a hopeless romantic. Maybe it’s fate that you and he are not together.” A wry laugh came from Guinevere.
“Fate. I’m so sick of fate…why can’t I make my own for once, I’m sure things would go a lot easier and I could actually be happy for once. Everything in the last, Watcher knows how long, has been influenced by those stupid tree-hugging fairies, they are in control of my fate because somehow they allowed Van Gould to change it. I’m not a queen, I’m just their pawn to right their mistakes.”
“Bullshit.” Guinevere looked up at him with a confused glare. “You heard me right. It’s bullshit. You make your own fate. There’s only so much the fairies can actually control…no matter what they summoned you for, they don’t control you. Them summoning you was their way of damage control, it’s all up to you on what you do with the information you’ve been given. Once you left that glade, fate was yours. So stop acting like a pawn and be the queen you are. Make your own happiness, create your own fate.” Guinevere stared at him with a renewed passion.

She leaned in closer and wrapped her arms around him. Then…it all happened so fast, she wasn’t quite sure who actually initiated the kiss. The kiss was the kiss; the one that made her weak yet it filled her with strength. It made her feel a radiant heat but gave her chills. She had never experienced this feeling before, but she knew, without a doubt that it was love. Time seemed to stand still, but before long he had to break for air. They stared dazedly at each other before resuming. I’m probably going to regret this…but this is my happiness and I deserve it. She poured her passion, her hurt, her love for him into the kiss.

They broke apart one last time, dazed and thoroughly kissed. They remained intertwined in an embrace, taking a moment of silence to comprehend what happened. Guinevere thought of what she was going to do now. She worried if their friendship would survive that kiss. I can’t lose him too. He was the first to break their silence.
“I’ve wanted to do that for a very long time…” He was a little breathless, but those words were almost music to Guinevere’s ears.
“There’s something I need to tell you, I’m just…I don’t want it to change anything.” I’m finally going to admit it. Butterflies invaded her stomach. She hesitated and bit her lip out of nervousness.
“Go on.” His gaze was intense.
“I’m in love with you. I didn’t mean for it to happen.” He smiled before peppering her face with kisses, making her giggle like a teenager. He stopped with a kiss on the tip of her nose.
“I’m in love with you too. I don’t know when it happened, I just know it did…and I’m glad for it.” Guinevere couldn’t help but wonder what would happen now. Where did their relationship go from here?
“What happens now? You can’t leave Cornelia.”
“I really don’t know what happens now. I would say take it one day at a time, but that sounds too cliché.” Guinevere agreed, somberly.
“Can we think about it later? Right now I just want to be with you. We can regret it later.”
“I could never regret being with you.” Gunther buried his hands in her hair and kissed her again, this time with desperation and need. They spent the rest of the evening under stars, kissing and being carefree.

My heart was singing when they finally kissed. That’s how I knew the timing was just perfect.
I would have loved nooboos but I don’t think they’d do the deed in the park, especially not one named after her dear aunt and uncle, though…the irony would’ve made her laugh about it later.

Squee… I wanted the kiss to happen for a long time. Aww… the tension and build up was fantastic. I’m excited to see what will happen, but I fear all will not be easy for these two. His calling bull was awesome.